Combined Storm Overflows (CSOs)

Afonydd Cymru is concerned about all sources of pollution affecting our rivers in Wales. CSOs can cause pollution and increased microbial loading particularly after periods of heavy rainfall. Where this occurs, we would encourage reporting to DCWW on their Pollution Hotline 08000853968 as it is important that problematic CSOs are speedily rectified. However, from the evidence that we have examined, both from NRW’s monitoring data and our observations when carrying out River Habitat Surveys, there is little current evidence that CSOs are responsible for widespread deterioration in the overall water quality in Welsh rivers. We would, however, like to see more monitoring and evaluation of the environmental impact of CSO discharges particularly given the high spill frequency of certain CSOs. We are encouraged by DCWW’s proactive approach and willingness to work with us to address these problems through Drainage Water Management Plans (DWMPS) and the Storm Overflow Assessment Framework (SOAF) and through its investment programme (see below). Compared to most water companies in the UK, DCWW has been at the forefront of addressing the issue of CSOs and has openly published data on the performance of their CSOs.

https://account.dwrcymru.com/en/online%20services/Sewer%20Pollution

The big question is whether in the 21st century we should persist with a sewerage system that discharges into the natural environment without full treatment? However, we are aware that to replace this system would cost many billions of pounds, create massive disruption particularly in urban areas and take many years to undertake. The funding would almost certainly come from increased water bills and the ability and willingness of the public to pay for this is unknown. However, in the meantime, we believe that the current approach of no new CSOs, rapid investigation of and enforcement against polluting CSOs and the implementation of DWMPs is the best way forward.

An additional issue to consider is the possible human health impacts of CSO discharges which are an increasing concern particularly in relation to wild swimmers, canoeists and anglers. The reality is that bacterial loading in rivers will come from many sources e.g. From livestock and septic tanks to name just two. We would very much support more research into the potential health impacts of CSOs, a system to warn water users when major CSO discharges are occurring and the development of designated Inland Bathing Waters for wild swimmers where water quality standards are set and regularly monitored.

Afonydd Cymru will continue to take a close interest in CSOs and their impacts on the health of our rivers and the people using them, however, our current highest priority is addressing agricultural pollution which we believe will turn around the deterioration in the health of our rivers most speedily.

Afonydd Cymru is dedicated to improving the water quality and biodiversity of Welsh rivers. We are a solutions and evidence led organisation and we want to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the history of combined sewer overflows (CSOs), how these are operated and regulated, their environmental impact as well as how they can be improved.

CSOs were designed in Victorian times to prevent sewage backing up into people’s homes by allowing the sewerage system to spill into our rivers when its capacity is exceeded, a form of pressure valve.

These spills can contain sewage which has only been screened, however this does not necessarily mean that the environment is damaged as in most cases such spills occur under high flow conditions when dilution is high. Further information on CSOs and how these operate is available at:

https://www.dwrcymru.com/…/wastewater/combined-sewer-overflows

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) is the body which operates the sewerage system in Wales and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is the body responsible for regulating their use. All combined sewer overflows are consented and DCWW was the first water company in England and Wales to monitor all their CSOs. The spill frequency of all CSOs in Wales is also recorded on DCWW’s website. The attached map shows the distribution and spill frequency of CSOs in Wales.

https://www.theriverstrust.org/what-we-do/is-your-river-fit-to-swim-in/

DCWW has spent more than £1 billion on improving CSOs since 1990 (this does not include maintenance costs). The following shows the investment made by DCWW during the subsequent Asset Management Periods (AMPs)

• AMP3 (2000-2005) £471m in CSO improvements
• AMP4 (2005-2010) £400m in CSO improvements
• AMP5 (2010-2015) £47m in CSO improvements
• AMP6 (2015-2020) £125m which includes investment in Loughor to reduce spills
• AMP7 (2020-2025) planned investment £82m on CSO improvements (with an additional £25m on improvements to previously improved assets with Trigger Breaches so technically only restoring them to what they should be).

All this investment is raised from householder’s water bills.

DCWW is currently investigating the environmental impact of the most frequently spilling CSOs through the Storm Overflow Assessment Framework (SOAF) as part of a wider initiative known as Drainage Water Management Plans (DWMPs). These plans which will become statutory through the forthcoming Environment Bill are designed to take a long-term strategic approach to improving drainage systems in order to reduce flooding and pollution including through CSOs. Those CSOs causing failure to achieve ‘good status’ under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) will be prioritised.

All CSOs are consented by NRW and it is a requirement that all storm overflows comply with relevant design and water quality standards and cause no deterioration to the existing quality of the receiving water.

Currently, there is a presumption against permitting new storm overflows, unless as part of a wider scheme delivering a net improvement in water quality.

The compliance record of DCWW in relation to CSOs

In 2019, DCWW’s CSOs caused 15 Low level (Cat 3) incidents in England and 1 in Wales.

10 CSOs out of a total of 3000 were identified as non-compliant with their permit conditions. All breaches were found to be Category 3 (reasonably foreseeable to cause a Low/Minor impact to environment and/or property).

What enforcement has been taken in relation CSOs?

When a permitted CSO causes an incident a compliance assessment is carried out against the permit and a Compliance Assessment Report (CAR) is completed.

In 2019, NRW issued DCWW with 11 CARs for non-compliant CSOs.

In addition, 6 Warnings were issued to DCWW due to CSO permit non-compliances, as well as providing advice and guidance and requiring actions to be undertaken. One CAR is still under investigation.

What environmental impact CSOs have and how these impact on meeting Good Ecological status under the Water Framework Directive?

WFD investigations have identified 32 water bodies where intermittent sewage discharges are identified as part of the reason for not achieving Good Ecological Status. All these water bodies failed for multiple reasons. However, it should be noted that:

• None of the failures are confirmed.
• 8 are probable with 5 being considered a major pressure.
• 24 are suspected with 5 being considered a major pressure.

SOAF investigations during AMP7 will provide further monitoring and evidence of the impacts of high spilling CSOs.

Water companies have been installing Event Duration Monitoring throughout AMP6. DCWW has installed monitors on all their CSOs (approx. 3000 assets, as of the end of March 2020).